And for good reason.
But for first-timers, it can be a little confusing to navigate.
So where exactly is Harajuku? In geographical terms, it refers to the area around Harajuku Station, between two other famous stations — Shinjuku and Shibuya — on Tokyo’s Yamanote commuter rail line.
Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights every Harajuku visitor should experience.
Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street: Go on. Just dive in.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The first thing you’re going to want to do is get sucked into the vortex of Takeshita Street, the shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrian shopping strip located next to Harajuku Station. (If you can, visit on a weekend, when young locals come out in full, colorful force.)
This is where you’ll find larger-than-your-head rainbow cotton candy and a dizzying array of shops geared towards the city’s youth.
Stretching about 400 meters in length, Takeshita is the epicenter of teen fashion and entertainment in Tokyo. It’s also the best place to try purikura photo booths and observe the latest cosplay trends — from gothic Lolita to cyberpunk.
Cat Street
Harajuku street fashion is world-renowned.
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nearby Cat Street is a more relaxed place to stroll and shop, with stores focused on higher-end brands.
There are a few theories about how this meandering alley between Harajuku and Shibuya got its nickname.
According to some, the street was once home to a large population of stray cats. Others claim the tiny street’s name refers to the Japanese idiom “a cat’s forehead,” used to describe something small.
In any event, there’s no shortage of shops to experience here.
Omotesando Avenue
The mirrored entranceway outside Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku has appeared in many an Instagram post.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Another famous shopping street, Omotesando Avenue is a large, tree-lined thoroughfare that cuts through Harajuku and is filled with hundreds of shops and restaurants.
Meiji Shrine
An aerial view of Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Tucked away in Yoyogi Park, an urban forest spanning 70 hectares, the area is popular with joggers, nature lovers (there are at least 100,000 trees) and worshipers alike.
Meiji Shrine, built in 1920, is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and was built after the royal couple passed. The complex was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt.
Visitors walk through two impressive torii gates before arriving at the main complex, where they can pray, make offerings and buy amulets.
What to eat
YouTube vlogger Melodee Morita shares why she loves Tokyo’s Shibuya area and visits a cute but wacky cafe.
The menu, which ranges from a JPY4,500 ($42) prix fixe menu to a full tasting menu that costs about JPY11,000, features French cuisine created with fresh and healthy ingredients.
Meanwhile, Tamawarai’s soba noodles (5-23-3 Jingumae) were immortalized when the tiny neighborhood shop was awarded a Michelin Star in 2015. It still attracts a queue of diners outside every day. Reservations are recommended during weekdays (on weekends it’s first-come, first-serve.)
Where to stay
Trunk Hotel features 11 rooms and four suites including the Dining Suite, pictured.
Courtesy TRUNK HOTEL
Tokyo’s Trunk Hotel, which opened in 2017, is credited with setting a new hospitality standard in terms of design while also highlighting the positive role a hotel can play in its community.
It sits at the end of a small alley near Omotesando Avenue, meaning you’re steps from the Shibuya and Harajuku/Jingumae action, yet in a quiet, chaos-free corner — the perfect retreat after a long day of exploring.
The design features plenty of upcycled wood, stone and metal combined with local and international artworks — all skillfully combined to create a space that’s thought-provoking but not overwhelming.
Trunk has just 15 rooms, including a mix of suites that will set your imagination running wild as you begin to contemplate a redesign of your own living space. They’re just that cool.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s delightfully welcoming communal spaces have made it a hive for locals, giving it the kind of vibe you just don’t find in a chain hotel — all complimented by a regular schedule of events ranging from fashion pop-ups to whiskey mixologist sessions. There’s even a stylish rooftop chapel that can be booked for weddings.
As tempting as it is to spend all your time dining out in Shibuya/Harajuku, do enjoy at least one meal at the Trunk Kitchen — we’re huge fans of the brunch — or sample the skewered “Shibuya soul food” at the Trunk Kushi stand. In the evening, the Trunk Bar is a great place to kick back with a locally brewed craft beer.
CNN’s Karla Cripps and Joshua Mellin contributed to this feature.